Most countries require an environmental impact assessment (EIA) before giving the green light to a mining project. EIA processes provide a valuable opportunity for citizens to participate in decisions about mines. However, project proponents often submit long, complex EIA documents that are incomprehensible to lay people.

Our scientists, Mark Chernaik and Meche Lu, have been helping our partners evaluate EIAs for years. Along with ELAW Staff Attorneys, Jen Gleason and Liz Mitchell, and a handful of experts in the field, including ELAW Board Chair Dr. Glenn Miller, they have published a Guidebook that will help people more easily evaluate EIAs and protect the environment and public health from irresponsible mining operations.